Heart Attack: Aspirin at Discharge

What is a Heart Attack?
An acute myocardial infarction (AMI), also called a heart attack, happens when one of the heart’s arteries becomes blocked and the supply of blood and oxygen to part of the heart muscle is slowed or stopped.

Blood clots can block blood vessels. When the heart muscle doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the affected heart tissue may die.

Why is this important?
Aspirin can help prevent blood clots from forming or help dissolve blood clots that have formed. Following a heart attack, continued use of aspirin may help reduce the risk of another heart attack. Aspirin can have side effects like stomach inflammation, bleeding, or allergic reactions. Talk to your health care provider before using aspirin on a regular basis to make sure it’s safe for you.

How are we doing at providing the best care for patients suffering from heart attack?
These measures show how often patients are prescribed aspirin as part of their discharge treatment plan.

Performance Measures Heart Attack: Aspirin Prescribed at Discharge

This graph shows the percentages of eligible heart attack patients who were prescribed aspirin as part of their discharge treatment plan. The higher the percentage, the better.

What efforts are in place to improve performance?
In any cases were we don’t meet this standard, the case is reviewed in detail with the team and opportunities for improvement are identified.